savory1
[sey-vuh-ree]
- pleasant or agreeable in taste or smell: a savory aroma.
- piquant: a savory jelly.
- pleasing, attractive, or agreeable.
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- British. an aromatic, often spicy course or dish served either as an appetizer or as a dessert, as pickled fish or brandied fruit.
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Also especially British, sa·vour·y.
Origin of savory1
Synonyms
See more synonyms for savory on Thesaurus.com1, 2. See palatable.
savory2
[sey-vuh-ree]
- any of several aromatic herbs belonging to the genus Satureja, of the mint family, especially S. hortensis (summer savory) or S. montana (winter savory), having narrow leaves used in cookery.
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Origin of savory2
1350–1400; Middle English saverey, perhaps for Old English sætherie < Latin saturēia (whence also Old English saturege, Middle English satureie)
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for savory
Contemporary Examples
I thought it was narratively satisfying—but it was not so savory.
Michael C. Hall on Where ‘Dexter’ Went Wrong and His New Killer Role in ‘Cold in July’Melissa Leon
May 23, 2014
Each firm, moist piece packs a provocative sweet and savory punch.
Top it with sweet and savory goop, and proclaim a new era in the world of pizza.
The savory smell of stewed meat drifts through the cold air.
The pained back and forth between my sweet side and my savory side.
Historical Examples
There was, indeed, but little said, but the words were savory and Scriptural.
The Works of Whittier, Volume V (of VII)John Greenleaf Whittier
Wine is usually optional in savory dishes; it gives richness only.
Culture and CookingCatherine Owen
Their nostrils were regaled with the savory fumes of the cooking meat.
War from the InsideFrederick L. (Frederick Lyman) Hitchcock
Faith, Mary, you're a good cook; that's as savory a stew as ever I tasted.
Tom Burke Of "Ours", Volume I (of II)Charles James Lever
This was after dinner, which had been a savory meal served by a man cook.
Peak and PrairieAnna Fuller
savory
- any of numerous aromatic plants of the genus Satureja, esp S. montana (winter savory) and S. hortensis (summer savory), of the Mediterranean region, having narrow leaves and white, pink, or purple flowers: family Lamiaceae (labiates)
- the leaves of any of these plants, used as a potherb
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Word Origin
C14: probably from Old English sætherie, from Latin saturēia, of obscure origin
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for savory
adj.
"pleasing in taste or smell," c.1200, from Old French savore "tasty, flavorsome" (Modern French savouré), past participle of savourer "to taste" (see savor (n.)).
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n.
aromatic mint, late 14c., perhaps an alteration of Old English sæþerie, which is ultimately from Latin satureia "savory (n.)," a foreign word in Latin. But early history of the word suggests transmission via Old French savereie. In either case, the form of the word probably was altered by influence of the Middle English or Old French form of savory (adj.).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper